There was extensive talk this offseason about who would replace Shedeur Sanders as the starting quarterback at Colorado. Initially, that appeared to be Kaidon Salter. However, after three different quarterbacks played against Delaware, including the surprise performance of Ryan Staub, that battle appears to have opened again.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders entered the game against Delaware looking to play three quarterbacks, Kaidon Salter, Julian Lewis, and Ryan Staub. There, based on the play of the quarterbacks, he was able to help decide what to do moving forward. However, when asked what he was going to do next, Sanders remained coy.
“I know exactly how I’m going to handle the quarterback situation,” Deion Sanders said. “I’m not going to say it, but yeah. I’m not lost for direction.”
Kaidon Salter handled the quarterback position in the opening loss to Georgia Tech. An experienced transfer who had been the starter at Liberty, he threw for 159 yards and a touchdown in that loss. After that game, Deion Sanders shared that he prayed on what to do about the quarterback situation. That was to give everyone two series against Delaware and go from there.
Salter ended up playing well against Delaware, who completed 13 for 16 passes for 102 yards. He also rushed for 25 yards and a touchdown. Staub stole the show, though, completing 7 of 10 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns. For his part, true freshman Lewis was 2 for 4 passing for eight yards.
“[Staub] has just been waiting for his opportunity,” Sanders said. “Never jumped in the portal, he had every right to think that way. But he’s just been a great human being and a great young man, like a leader amongst that room. All he needed was the opportunity, and I thought it was time.”
It’s still very early this season. However, through two weeks, Colorado is 77th nationally in passing offense. That’s while averaging 213 passing yards per game. It’s also a mark that’s currently good for ninth in the Big 12. The Buffaloes’ three passing touchdowns are tied for 64th nationally, though they also haven’t thrown an interception.
Regardless of the direction that Deion Sanders takes the quarterback position, the Buffaloes will need to get consistent play from the spot quickly. Next Friday, September 12th, the Buffaloes will play both their first road game and their first Big 12 game this season when they go to take on the Houston Cougars.
